Four Seasons has made a major change to their internal exchange program. In the past, if you were lucky enough to get an exchange to another Four Seasons property, you paid the $195 exchange fee and you were good to go. Last summer, I was able to trade my two bedroom platinum week at Aviara for a three bedroom week at Four Seasons Jackson Hole. It was awesome. I was very pleased.
Now, Four Seasons has a nightly rate that you must pay for your exchange in addition to an increase in the exchange fee to $225. The fees are based on what size unit you give up, what size you exchange into, and what season of the year you exchange out of and into. In the case of my exchange last summer, I gave up a two bedroom platinum week at Aviara in exchange for a three bedroom platinum week at Jackson Hole. The nightly rate for this exchange is $150 per night. So, in addition to paying my approximately $2500 in maintenance fees and taxes for my Aviara week, I would also have to pay a $225 exchange fee and $1050 in nightly fees, for a total of $3775 for the Jackson Hole week. Some people may consider that a bargain based on the rack rates at Jackson Hole, but I do not. For $3775, I could rent a beautiful house in Jackson Hole for a week.
Four Seasons already has extremely high maintenance fees and very limited availability through their internal exchange (as well as very limited locations). The addition of nightly rates for exchanges is very unwelcome news to me.
Steve
Now, Four Seasons has a nightly rate that you must pay for your exchange in addition to an increase in the exchange fee to $225. The fees are based on what size unit you give up, what size you exchange into, and what season of the year you exchange out of and into. In the case of my exchange last summer, I gave up a two bedroom platinum week at Aviara in exchange for a three bedroom platinum week at Jackson Hole. The nightly rate for this exchange is $150 per night. So, in addition to paying my approximately $2500 in maintenance fees and taxes for my Aviara week, I would also have to pay a $225 exchange fee and $1050 in nightly fees, for a total of $3775 for the Jackson Hole week. Some people may consider that a bargain based on the rack rates at Jackson Hole, but I do not. For $3775, I could rent a beautiful house in Jackson Hole for a week.
Four Seasons already has extremely high maintenance fees and very limited availability through their internal exchange (as well as very limited locations). The addition of nightly rates for exchanges is very unwelcome news to me.
Steve